The government has approved an updated national energy end climate plan which brings more ambitious goals in key segments such as emission growth and the pace of transition towards renewables.

The latest draft, an update of a document adopted in 2020, was compiled after a public consultation and will now be sent to the European Commission for evaluation, according to Environment, Climate and Energy Minister Bojan Kumer.

One of the biggest changes is the minimum share of renewables in final energy consumption until 2030, which has been raised from 27% to 30%-35% "depending on what measures will be taken", said Kumer.

The projected growth of carbon emissions from traffic has been reduced to 3% from 12%. Industry is expected to cut emissions by 55%, up from 43% in the previous version of the plan, and the energy sector by 48%, up from 34%.

Asked when Slovenia could reach carbon neutrality, the minister noted that the current long-term climate strategy sets the timeline for this at 2050. Other strategic documents must follow, he added.

The existing energy end climate plan needs to be updated due to the decision to phase out coal by 2033, the higher climate and energy targets until 2030 at the EU level, and the need to accelerate the green transition.

Intensive inter-departmental coordination on the document is expected to take place in the autumn, when consultation with neighbouring countries is also planned. Recommendations from the European Commission are expected by the end of the year.

A comprehensive impact assessment will be prepared by the spring of 2034, and public consultation will again be held after that, Kumer said, adding that the plan would be "appropriately amended, supplemented and upgraded."

The final draft must be submitted to the European Commission by the end of June 2024.

Despite the more ambitious goal, climate activists are not happy with the plan. The Youth for Climate Justice said it did not take into account the seriousness of the climate crisis, the binding goals of the Paris accord, or scientific findings.

The group insists the plan should "prevent the green transition from going into the hands of capital" and "focus on the true well-being of people and the environment."